“You Are Greater than you know” ~ Mother Teresa
Supporting Local Women & Girls
The mission of the Luverne Area Community Foundation Women’s Giving Circle is to support, educate, empower, and celebrate women and girls in the Rock County area.
Important Dates
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12/9/24 – Grant Celebration
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Grant Nominations
PoP+ Program at the Farmer’s Market – Caroline Thorson
A grant nomination looking to help support a program that allows seniors to purchase fruits, vegetables, and herbs sold at the local farmer’s market. 90% of the clients that utilize this program are women, some of whom come with their spouse. They have seen an increase in the amount of individuals utilizing this program, but cannot support all that have interest.
Discovery Time – Tara Zewiske
A grant nomination looking to establish a fund with Discovery Time, used for tuition and transportation, for families that qualify for the Minnesota Department of Education Early Learning Scholarship. Last year, Discovery Time submitted 22 scholarship applications, but were only approved for 20 – meaning two children were unable to attend Discovery Time. This grant would help bridge the gap, and make more children are able to attend, and have transportation, to preschool.
SW Health and Human Services/Sanford Luverne – Emily Crabtree
A grant nomination looking to contribute to an existing funds through Sanford Luverne, United Community Action Partnership, and SW Health and Human Services, would allow tokens for rides to help get women, parents with young children, and seniors to and from healthcare and public health appointments. Transportation is a huge issue for families and individuals and is often needed after hours or on weekends.
Sanford Luverne Medical Center – Jamie Reisdorfer/Stacey Gangestad
A grant nomination looking to establish a fund for the providers of Sanford Luverne to gift women experiencing an early pregnancy loss, a “grieving box.” This box would include a candle, a book “Loved Baby” which includes 31 devotions and story all related to pregnancy loss and the emotions associated), a local coffee gift card, lavender scent, and a note of support from the Women’s Giving Circle.
Jake Johnson Memorial Fund – Madison Crabtree
A grant nomination looking to contribute to the already established Jake Johnson Memorial Fund held at the Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Jake Johnson Fund services all of Rock County, and helps individuals and families with everyday costs of living like food, clothing, rent, and utilities. It also helps develop support and plans for these families beyond the monetary gifts to help bridge the gap they might be seeing that month.
Community Education – Tracy Hansen
A grant nomination looking to purchase 4 sets of youth golf clubs, to be stored at a central location, to be able to be used for girls to participate in Community Ed golf classes. These classes can be beneficial for girls in grades 3-8 to improve social, physical, mental, and critical-thinking skills as well as self-confidence. Often time the barrier of buying golf clubs prevents kids from joining.
Kid’s Rock Inc. – Helen Saum
A grant nomination looking to establish a scholarship program at the new daycare center in Luverne, MN – set to open in Spring 2025, serving children ages 0-12. Funds would be used to subsidize cost for childcare for families that have difficulty paying. Scholarship aid will be determined and given per the Executive Director of Kid’s Rock.
The Rock County Mental Health G.A.P. Fund – Ellen Wenninger
A grant nomination seeking to gain funding to help individuals receive counseling sessions they would not otherwise be able to receive due to cost. The G.A.P. fund helps individuals that do not have insurance, have a deductible higher than $2,500, and who do not otherwise qualify for state insurance or EAP. The most recent community assessment finds that the number one reason people do not seek services is due to cost.
Rock Ranch – Lisa Dinger
A grant nomination looking to work with Rock Ranch, helping to provide scholarships for patients seeking equine-assisted psychotherapy. Rock Ranch contracts with 4 licensed mental health counselors to provider therapy. In 2023, there were over 100 sessions held at Rock Ranch. The client base often depends on scholarships to seek help for issues including trauma from sex trafficking, abuse, and PTSD.
Southwest Crisis Center – Savannah Dinger
A grant nomination looking to help educate and support individuals who have been affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and child abuse. Grant would be used for purchasing promotional items to put up throughout the county during different awareness months/showing support for survivors. It would also be used to host an event to educate and spread awareness about all forms of abuse, as well as teach prevention and empowerment for women, girls, and families. Lastly, the grant would be used to purchase books/support resources for survivors – including guided journals and self-love workbooks.
Giving Opportunities
The power of collective giving has the greatest impact
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Meet the Team
Steering Committee
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- Caroline Thorson
- Madison Crabtree
- Lisa Dinger
- Mary Jo Graphenteen
- Tara Zewiske
- Jill Wolf
- Helen Saum
- Sherri Thompson
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Executive Committee
Co-Chairs
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- Savannah Dinger
- Ellen Wenninger
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Secretary
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- Amy Cook
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Treasurer
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- Emily Crabtree – Executive Director LACF
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“You are greater than you know”
~ Mother Teresa
